DC Coronavirus Update: Testing Positivity Rate Remains Under 5%

WASHINGTON, DC —D.C. Department of Health confirmed 69 additional positive cases of COVID-19, the virus associated with the new coronavirus on Friday. This brings the District's total number of positive cases to 12,126.

D.C. Health reported one deaths due to COVID-19 on Friday. The death is described as an 80-year-old man. The total number of deaths in the District due to COVID-19 stands at 585.

According to D.C. Health, 188,741 coronavirus tests have been administered in the District, 129,554 D.C. residents have been tested, and 9,816 have been cleared from isolation.

The District currently has 82 intensive care unit beds available out of 345 total intensive care unit beds. There are currently 182 in-use ventilators and 17 COVID-19-positive ICU patients.

D.C. Public Schools officials announced Thursday students will be heading back to school on Aug. 31, but they won't be returning to their school buildings until at least November at the earliest. DCPS officials confirmed the first term of the academic year would be conducted virtually.

On Wednesday, D.C. Health adjusted one of the metrics it was using to determine when the District would enter phase three of the city's phased reopening. D.C. Health now has more evidence that suggests that in order for a rebound — a sudden rise in the number of positive cases — not to occur, the test positivity percentage should be below 5, Nesbitt said, instead of the 10-20 percentage it was previously looking at.

For this reason, D.C. Health has lowered the positivity rate metric to a seven-day rolling average of 5 percent. The current positivity rate among District residents is 3.8 percent.

Globally, more than 17.3 million people have been infected by COVID-19, and over 673,000 people have died, Johns Hopkins University reported Friday morning. In the United States, more than 4.4 million people have been infected and over 152,000 people have died from COVID-19.

COVID-19 Cases By Age And Gender

Total of Positive COVID-19 Cases By Ward

Total COVID-19 Deaths By Ward

Total of Positive COVID-19 Cases By Race

Total of Positive COVID-19 Deaths By Race

District residents should take the following actions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. An alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be used if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

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